LCPS: Remote learning proceeding smoothly

As the first week of remote learning wraps up amid a statewide shutdown to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Las Cruces Public Schools administrators and staff report the transition is “going well.” Most families who elected to check-out laptops and tablets had already done so as of April 17, with nine schools in the district reporting 100 percent of needed technology already in students’ hands. 

Of the district’s 25,000 students, roughly 4,500 reported not having access to a laptop or tablet at home. Approximately 1,700 did not have access to the Internet. 

“Our teachers are the best resource to determine what our students need to engage in learning,” said Dr. Karen Trujillo, superintendent for Las Cruces Public Schools. “During their regular phone calls with students and families, teachers are able to pinpoint how we can support our families, and our leadership teams have been working on ways to address those needs.”

After surveying families and existing inventory, each school determined there were enough devices to meet the needs of students who were without access to technology at home. As of April 15, most elementary schools reported 70 percent of needed technology had been picked up, and four schools – Monte Vista Elementary, Las Cruces High, Doña Ana Elementary and Camino Real Middle – had pick-ups scheduled.

District officials said Internet access codes from Comcast have been provided to teachers and students and six months of service fees will be derived from emergency funding from the City of Las Cruces. Families living outside Comcast’s service area will be provided with paper copies of instructional materials. Additional support systems are in place to support special-education and Spanish-language learners. 

Since the announcement was made by the New Mexico Public Education Department to shutter schools through the end of the school year, district administrators began work on developing two-week learning blocks with assistance from teachers and district instructional and content specialists.

The LCPS Continuous Learning Plan, classroom resources and learning targets can be found online at www.mrowl.com/user/lcpsmrowl. Additional enrichment resources can be found on the same website, including the LCPS Enrichment YouTube channel, which has live lessons for all grade levels and a “Counselors Corner,” where school counselors help students with their social emotional needs. Some teachers are incorporating video platforms to connect students in a virtual classroom setting, which is something new for most of them. 

“Teachers, students and families are adjusting to learning in new ways, and our live lessons on YouTube are a great way to supplement what our teachers are providing for students to meet the learning targets,” said Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Research Dr. Wendi Miller-Tomlinson. “Our top goal is to make sure students and their families are safe and healthy while navigating remote learning.” 

If parents are looking for extra learning resources, KRWG is providing elementary content daily from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. 

“Communication is key,” Miller-Tomlinson said. “We encourage families to continue reaching out to teachers and principals if they need assistance.”

Remote learning, along with breakfast and lunch distribution, will continue through May 20, the final day of instruction in the 2019-2020 school year.